To me, what is important in the theater is that we don't want to make a conclusion. We don't want to make a statement, don't want to say what something is. We want to ask, 'What is it?'
Robert WilsonRead
Usually in theater, the visual repeats the verbal. The visual dwindles into decoration. But I think with my eyes. For me, the visual is not an afterthought, not an illustration of the text. If it says the same thing as the words, why look? The visual must be so compelling that a deaf man would sit though the performance fascinated.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The visual elements of theater should be compelling and independent from the text, engaging the audience on their own.
In this quote, Robert Wilson emphasizes the importance of visuals in theater, arguing that they should stand alone as captivating elements rather than mere decorations that support the spoken text. He suggests that visuals need to be so powerful that they hold the attention of even those who cannot hear the accompanying words, illustrating the significance of visual storytelling in enhancing the overall theatrical experience.
Themes
TheaterVisualArtPerformanceCommunication
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on modern theater, one might cite this quote to argue for the significant role of visual storytelling.
More from Robert Wilson
All quotes →I never studied theatre; I learned it by doing it. If I had studied theatre, I would not be making the kind of theatre I am making.
Robert WilsonRead
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